Jim Word / Deer Behavior page 6

Deer Behavior by Jim Word / Ector County
Diet consisting of 16 percent crude protein is recommended for maximum antler development and reproductive performance. Does generally breed at age 2 and yearlings may breed if in excellent condition. The breeding season, or rut, extends from mid-November through mid_February, with December being the peak. The gestation period is about seven months (210 days), with most births occurring in July and August. Does generally give birth to single fawns the first time they breed. but twins are common thereafter if forage conditions are adequate.	Fawn crops generally average about 45 percent, depending primarily on seasonal weather conditions, forage availability and predation. Mule deer may have somewhat lower fawn crops, fewer twin fawns and fewer yearling does breeding than white-tailed deer. However, this may be related more to environment than to the species' characteristics. In areas with both white-tailed and mule deer, productivity is similar. Nutrition is a critical factor in deer production. Mule deer diets center around two vegatative components - forbs and browse. Forbs are annual or perennial broad leaf weeds and generally preferred when available.	Forbs make up 20 to 40 percent for the annual diet, especially during the spring and summer. The stable of the mule deer's diet however, is browse (leaves and stems of woody plants). Browse comprises 40 to 70 percent of the annual diet and is especially important in fall, winter and early spring. During droughts, browse may contribute 90 percent of the annual diet. Grasses generally make up less than 5 percent of the annual diet. Fruits and nuts (acorns, mesquite beans, cacti, etc.) are seasonally important items as are succulents such as lechugilla and pricklypear.

Deer Behavior
by Jim Word / Ector County

Diet consisting of 16 percent crude protein is recommended for maximum antler development and reproductive performance.

Does generally breed at age 2 and yearlings may breed if in excellent condition. The breeding season, or rut, extends from mid-November through mid_February, with December being the peak. The gestation period is about seven months (210 days), with most births occurring in July and August.

Does generally give birth to single fawns the first time they breed. but twins are common thereafter if forage conditions are adequate.

Fawn crops generally average about 45 percent, depending primarily on seasonal weather conditions, forage availability and predation. Mule deer may have somewhat lower fawn crops, fewer twin fawns and fewer yearling does breeding than white-tailed deer. However, this may be related more to environment than to the species' characteristics. In areas with both white-tailed and mule deer, productivity is similar.

Nutrition is a critical factor in deer production. Mule deer diets center around two vegatative components - forbs and browse. Forbs are annual or perennial broad leaf weeds and generally preferred when available.

Forbs make up 20 to 40 percent for the annual diet, especially during the spring and summer. The stable of the mule deer's diet however, is browse (leaves and stems of woody plants).

Browse comprises 40 to 70 percent of the annual diet and is especially important in fall, winter and early spring. During droughts, browse may contribute 90 percent of the annual diet. Grasses generally make up less than 5 percent of the annual diet. Fruits and nuts (acorns, mesquite beans, cacti, etc.) are seasonally important items as are succulents such as lechugilla and pricklypear.

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This data was clipped from Odessa American over a period of time.
Mr. Jim Word graciously permitted re-publishing the material
as long as it was not edited. Thank You, Mr. Word!